Oh if either of my politics tutors could see me now. Ten years after taking my A-Levels and somehow getting a passing grade in my A-Level politics exams I have just got off the phone with Cllr Paul Collins having accepted his invitation to stand for election in the 2012 in Westborough. I had options both in the East and West of the town but this is how it is going to go down.
It hasn’t been an easy decision. In fact quite the opposite. It has been a decision that I have wrestled with for over a month now since the first time it got brought up. I was concerned about several things but in the end one thing stood head and shoulders above everything else – the belief that I could actually do some good in this world. Yes I do good in other ways (Hospital Radio, helping out my neighbours who always need computers fixing etc…) but I was presented with an opportunity to do even more and on a more widespread scale.
I think it is fair to say I’m not the prototypical candidate. Just look at this photo of me (and others) with Nick Clegg. I look a bit out of place and a bit scruffy but that is who I am. I’m not a clean-cut professional who has aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder. I just want to lead a decent life and do some good with my time on this Earth. I don’t think that is too ambitious and something that is eminently reachable.
My reasons for running are not personal gratification but because I do really think that being elected can help the people of Southend. As it stands the Conservatives have a majority of five on the council but 2012 may well be the year when this all changes. All it needs are for three seats to change hands and then instead of a ruling Tory council we may see a rainbow coalition of Lib Dems, Labour and the Independents all working towards a common goal – that of making Southend a better place.
Coming into this I have a few ideas and I’ll sit down with people in the ward to discuss what their key concerns are. I’m also planning on going to resident meetings to get a flavour of the trials and tribulations of the people of that ward. Hopefully they’ll be a nice mesh of my thoughts and residents thoughts that can be put to good use.
So there we have it I suppose. I’ll obviously write more in the coming weeks and months but that is where we stand. I’m running for council. I’m not sure who is more surprised, me or anyone who has known me for the past 28 odd years? I’m going to say me. Whatever happens it will be an experience and at least I can say I gave it a shot instead and wondering ‘what if?’ as I have thought on numerous occasions about many things in my past. Better to have tried and failed than to never try at all…
I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Please leave any comments or contact me directly via the E-Mail Me link on the Right Hand Nav. You can stay in touch with the blog following me on Twitter or by liking the blog on Facebook. Please share this content via the Social Media links below if you think anyone else would enjoy reading.
Good luck Neil
It’d be nice to see a “normal” (ish 😉 ) person getting some say in any council system. Go for it, sir!
Tony, Andrew, Thank you both for your good luck messages. It’ll certainly be interesting, of that I’m sure!